[mwk56]

I sell all my pups on limited which--if the buyer is interested--can be changed to full with health clearances and at least a JH or a CD.

I just purchased a pup--first time in many, many years that I have bought a pup (rather than a started dog). The breeder does the same as I do. She offered me full, and I told her I am fine with limited because I am more than willing to get health clearances and title before full reg.

If a potential buyer is unsure, I can refer them to clients who have purchased on limited and changed to full.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

Short of running a background check on each potential buyer, and interviewing their neighbors, veterinarians, etc. there is no way to know for sure whether a buyer will follow through with what is promised...even friends can sometimes have circumstances that change the dynamic.

Limited gives some protection to the dog, owner and kennel that only dogs physically/genetically sound will be bred. Does it take care of the idiots who will breed and sell pups "not papered" or breed designer dogs? No, but it seems to thin them out a bit.

The majority of my pups go into hunting homes. According to AKC, 40% of owners from my last three litters have not registered their pups at all. So they are willing to purchase pups from me because of the health clearances, soundness and care taken in the breedings.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

So when you purchase a dog on full, do you expect a warranty for hips, elbows, eyes? Do you expect the breeder to be there for you in a couple of years if something goes wrong? Will you follow the breeder's recommendations for feeding, exercise, etc. based on their years of experience?

Or is it buy the dog and walk away?

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

I have used limited since AKC introduced it. Most litters no one is interested in breeding so it is a non-issue. I have a litter that turned two in June and three out of eight of the pups have gotten hips, elbows and eyes done per contract (my parents are all DNA clear for EIC, CNM, PRA, RD, DD, etc.). One has earned her CD and a JH; one is working on CD and the other on JH (both delayed by COVID).

I agree with Sharon. It is super hard to find good competition homes, so most go into hunting homes or active pet homes. Most people are totally unprepared for raising a litter and if they do think about it, the limited makes them think about it a little harder. More than happy to assist when they have met the terms of my contract.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

I have lifted limited on all clients who have come to me with terms of the contract met. I have had maybe a couple people say, “She’s a really nice dog. Do you think I should breed her?” Because their friends and family like her and they all want puppies. And I remind them of the contract. They never pursue it.

And I echo Sharon. If you have good intentions and plan to do the minimum of what we should for our breed, why would you have a problem with getting hips, elbows, eyes done to lift limited? You can get a JH in two weekends, a CD in one. And the “what if something happens to the breeder” argument isn’t valid because the person with power of attorney is obligated to meet the terms of my contracts. If my pup doesn’t pass clearances, my contract has allowances for that as well.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

Yes, Drunkenpoacher why won’t the breeder lift the limited status? What were the terms of purchase?

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

Well I don’t think you can condemn all limited agreements because yours went awry. Mine is clearly spelled out in a written terms of sale and I have honored it every time.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

I don’t think you can make that sweeping assumption. I don’t raise show dogs—I do hunt tests and obedience. It is a personal decision, based on what I feel I have to do to sleep at night when placing pups. There is no way to know everyone inquiring about puppies and lots of people just flat-out lie about their intentions. And some people are just clueless.

Meredith

 

[mwk56]

AKC is simply a registry. It is up to the individual national breed clubs to establish requirements for registration and breeding. Several pointing breeds require the dog to complete a field situation test in addition to health clearances before being allowed to breed, but Goldens and Labradors have never done such a thing. Heck, the Labrador club can’t even get rid of “silvers.”

Techincally, one cannot “improve” or “better” the breed once the stud book is closed because you cannot introduce any “new” blood. We as breeders can only strive to maintain the breed standard for soundness, conformation, health and working ability.

Meredith